Texas Unemployment Rate Drops, Economy Adds Jobs

Texans have received more good news on the state's economy: 10,900 jobs were added in March, and the unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent from 8 percent at the same time last year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

“We've remained below the national unemployment rate for 63 straight months, and Texas continues to show private-sector job growth,” said Tom Pauken, chairman of the workforce commission. The national unemployment rate stands at 8.2 percent.

Leisure and hospitality added the most jobs, with 6,000, and is the industry with the highest annual growth rate at 4.8 percent. The information industry, which has consistently taken hits through the recession and has had the slowest growth this year of any Texas industry, added the second-highest number of jobs with 3,100. Government and education and health services tied for third place, each adding 2,900 jobs.

Government still has the greatest annual loss in jobs. State, local and federal government combined has shrunk by 54,900 positions, or 3 percent since this time last year.

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